FFV zero tolerance policy sees anti-social behaviour greatly reduced

Football Federation Victoria’s (FFV) zero tolerance approach is notably reducing anti-social behaviour across Victorian football with latest statistics showing a drop in the number of players suspended, fines given and matters being referred by the Federation to the independent Tribunal/Appeals Board.

Compared to this time last year, there has been a 30 percent drop in yellow cards, a 1.6 percent drop in player suspensions (including red cards) and only 53 misconduct fines compared with 102 misconduct fines last year.

FFV zero tolerance programs were implemented in 2009 but in 2010 became more well-known, accepted and are now being self-enforced by clubs and club associates.

These latest statistics highlight that with the support of the players and clubs, FFV’s zero tolerance approach is starting to be fully understood and accepted by all participants.

FFV CEO, Mark Rendell, said FFV will continue to work hard to discourage anti-social behaviour on and off the pitch and the latest statistics prove that the zero tolerance approach is working.

“These figures show that our football culture is improving, players and club officials realise the zero tolerance approach is for the benefit of the game and everyone who supports a safe and family friendly environment,” Mr Rendell said.

The other area that has had an impact on these figures is the continuing education of referees in strategies to ensure that the game is played in a fair, safe and enjoyable manner, and that ‘on and off field behaviour’ is controlled.

The Red Card comparative statistics can be located here
The Yellow Card comparative statistics can be located here

http://www.footballfedvic.com.au/pageitem.aspx?id=37458&id2=1&eID=7250&entityID=7250

The once mighty Preston Makedonia is on its knees and for president Pece Siljanovski it is an unwelcome and hurtful sight.

And early this month the FFV tribunal fined Preston $15,000 for matters arising out of an under-15 away game against Yarra Jets.
On appeal last week that figure was lowered to $14,500 albeit that a central figure in this affair is an as yet unidentified man wearing a blue top, a man that FFV has decided was a Lions supporter.
Has no-one told FFV that Macedonians wearing blue tops at soccer matches are a rare breed indeed?
At least there is a flicker of light at the end of Preston’s long dark tunnel as the club may be able to negotiate a repayment schedule with the federation.
“If Preston comes to us and works with us to establish their need to arrange a payment extension and if they can show us that they want to deal with a culture of inappropriate behaviour then things can be put in place to help the club pay its fine,” said FFV CEO Mark Rendell.
“But we don’t simply give clubs payment extensions for extension’s sake.
“Clubs have to demonstrate a willingness to change and perhaps the best recent example of that is St Albans.
“They have been able to demonstrate to us their willingness to change. St Albans put a new committee in place, new processes, a lot of training and an education process and we put in place a scheme of repayment and they have been a model club ever since.”
And I bet many of you thought you’d never see the words “St Albans” and “model club” mentioned in the same breath.